Terminal having solderless conductor clamping means



a. PAVLINETZ v 2,603,679

TERMINAL HAVING SOLDERLESS CONDUCTOR- CLAMPING MEANS July 15, 1952 5Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 23. 1949 3v J v 2 w )7 y INVENTOR GEORGE.PAVLINETZ AITORNEY y 15, 1952 G. PAVLINETZ 2,603,679 I TERMINAL HAVINGSOLDERLESS CONbUCTQR CLAMPING MEANS Filed June 25, 1949 3 Sheets-Sheet 2INVENTOR GEORGE PAVLINETZ ATTORNEY G- PAVLIN ETZ July 15,1952

TERMINAL HAVING SOLDERLESS CONDUCTOR CLAMPING MEANS Filed June 23, 19495 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR GEORGE PAVLINETZ ATTORNEY Patented July 15,1952 TERMINAL HAVING soLDERLEss CON- nooron CLAMPING MEANS Y I GeorgePavlinetz', Carteret, J.

' a iicatio njuneie; 1949, Serial sarcoma r14Glaims; (01; 173-269)invention relates tocables and electrical conductor terminals; moreparticularlyito clamp type sold'erless terminals.

The principal'object of my invention'is to provide an improved cableterminalofthe solderless type, and more particularly of the clamp type.Another object of my invention is to provide such a terminal whichcaribe readily'attached to the ends of a cable-byan'unskilled worker andwithout the use ofattaohingtools or machinery; r Y I A further object ofmy invention is to provide .a. terminal of the self-locking type wherebythe oonduct'o'ror cable can be inserted into-the ter- "minal andanchored in permanently lock 'edposition. a

A still further object of my'inventio'n is to provide a lockingmean's'inthe form of an' insulatingsleeve, which also protects theterminal and is easy to adjust to locking position.

Anothenobject of my invention is to provide such a' sleeve whichprevents fraying of the insulation on cable or conductor. 4

A' still further object of'my invention is to pro- "vide a simple and'inexpensive punched terminal which can be formed from sheet stock.

A further object of my invention is to provide such a terminal Whichmaybe utilized with either solid or stranded conductors."

A furtherobjeot of my invention is to provide such a terminal which may,be used as a temporary connection without the locking feature, or

' which can be utilized with the lockingfeature.-'

These and other objects will appear hereinafter.

The'novel features which I believe to be characteristic of my inventionare set forth with particularity in the appended claims, but theinvention itself will best be understood by reference to the followingdescription taken in connection with the accompanying drawing in whichFigure ,l is a top plan view of one form of my invention; Figure 2 is aside elevation of Figure 1, and Figure 3 is a bottom plan view ofFigures 1 and 2, Figure 4 is a left end elevation partially sectionedand Figure 5 is the right'end elevation of the connector terminal madeaccording to'my invention; Figure 6 shows a terminal connector with aconductor received therein prior to positioning the locking sleeveinsulator in locked position; Figure 7 is a view partially insection ofmy terminal connector in locked position; Figures 8, 9 and 10 show sideand end elevation details of the insulating locking sleeve used with theterminal shown, in Figures 1 to 7 inclusive; Figure 11 is asideelevation of a modification of the invention shown in Figures l tolfinclu'sive; Figure 12 is an-elevation offa-st il'l further modifi-;

cation of my invention;- Figure 1 3"' is a section taken along the line13-13 of Figure 12; Figure 14 is a top' plan view of another form-of myinvention and Figure 15 is a side elevation with the locking'jmember inretracted position; Figure 16 is'a'bottom plan'view of the device shownin Figures l4 and 15; Figure 17 is a plan-view of astill furthermodification of my invention; Figure 18 is a side elevation and Figure19 aside elevation with part-sin section of the device'with a conductortherein-and the locking element-in locking position. 1 7 I Referring tothe drawings-,- in Figure 1 theterminal connection is punche'dfrom flatstocka-nd then formed to shape as shown. The terminal designatedgenerally a't20 is provided with a' flat enlarged head'member 2[provided with "aperture H for receiving a screw or other formoft-connection; It is provided with a vertically extended portion 22which is extended into the horizontal ortionzs bent u on itself "so thatithesannnderlying portion 24.' The upper portion or leg,

' as'best seen in Figure 1, is rectangularly-shaped andhas a portionremoved at to form'are- 'c'ess. Adjacent this end'of the terminalconnector the upper portion and lower portions 23 and-24 are bothprovided with rounded portions 26"an'd 21'displaced outwardly andoppositely disposed so as to provide a tubular passageway for purposesto be described. J

A resilient arm 28 extending back from the tubular passageway is curvedupwardly as shown anddownwardly so'as to be oppositely disposed to alikearm 29 on portion 24. As formed they result-in flexible arm members, thefree mass: which are provided with recesses and sharp edges for purposesto be described. The recessedportions in the upper arm 28 may bereshaped as indicated at 30 and the recess in'the lower arm may have arounded shape as indicated at 3| in Figures 3 and 5. t

Barbs or offset elements 22 are formed by slotting and bending out of,the plane of the upper portion 23. Like barbs canbeformed at 33. d Theupper and lower folded portionsmay be spot welded at 3d if desired. j

While the device may be utilized as'shownf to provide a temporaryconnection, it is preferable to use the same with a locking device asshown in Figures 6 and 7.: This comprises an insulating 1. sleeve of theshape shown inFiguresQ; 9iand10. One end is providedwith arectangularlyshaped bore or "chamber 31 and theother end-With a letaonneq ione al 1 t; and:- tions! incon act 1 ends-ate provided Bi and Ja.42 48: ex endin he fr m s; sho n E eures L Q' ncl ive and t e. a s:912ma *3 round bore 38. Longitudinally extending slots 39 arecoextensive with the rectangularly shaped portion of the passageway. n v

To secure a conductor 35 having insulation cov ering 35 it is insertedthrough the tubular porf tion formed by portions 25'and 21 of theterminal andforced between the free ends of the resilient arms28 and 29and is engaged by the sharp edges ogthe freeyends t these arms. Thetamin of the conductor'between the spring arms 26 and 21 forces the armsoutwardly against the natural resiliency, induced by the spring shape ofthe tions and. H are extended into the portions "12 and 13 having theannularrecess 14 and being bent toward each other as shown in Figure 18.

' The conductor again is engaged by the free ends factured in variousshapes and sizes.

arms. Efforts to pull the conductor. out, gi tlild tubular portion tendsto force the; sharp edges into the surface of the conductor. 'Th upperarm 28 may be made slightly longer than the; lower arm 29, or this mayberevetfsled. When it is desired to lock the conductor permanently, aninsulating sleeve member ifii Off any desired material is first insertedover the cond ctor ntiq i sertion o he crrmrietor n the-'tubi larportion or theterminal, The slots 19 egisten with: the edges or theupper-and, lower members 23b and M. to; receive that. portion of the.edges; outside oi the tubular portions, In torcing; the locking.insulating sleeve the,- left the spring armsare further pushed against:the Q QQ QQI: and. the ba ed element 3,2 and 33 engag the slotwallstorretard removal otthe insuiating;sleeve;frommherterrninal..In'this-iash-ionr permanently locked to, ,the con-v r dust nasmu h aheleeve extends-b ond a haunted; e d o e conducto -a sho n i Figure 7this acts to protect the,iizisula,tinp; from si na e id-Q1 rame i ls kinrza proper-1r insulines" 7 y In L sh w a. modifi a ion f.wearrgngen-rent showirin Figures r to?" inclusive The easel run hed romb n stoea ut imosahe i l gb tween he-upeer andilower 4 It s: made; at.3: w th bo h: 12

$11 each. oth a d the fr w th he-s mi c lar nor io 9; orm he; ubul rpassa eway; th

idedias, heiora. li er are-mov d to manner sition w h he sulati g sle e'own.- in Heur sr i inclusive 5, 1

It h -st .f: ther;mqdificet met r Eiu l slz and; n his: a r eme t theflexible arms 50 and 5| are provided withv st ai ht ed e o harisma mu tr n di fi p sra l be} noted t these? a I serrated. @1552 and. 53(- toprovide a. plmalitg of fine oppositely disposed teeth. I-nthiaarrangenig t it is preterable not to weld; the-upper and lowerortions or the terminal connectedtogethe s; go it; is advisable; inthis. case. to, open the liner arrangement to, permit easy insertheg endot thegcond uctor between thefree t the: fleX- ble arms, the locking:insulator 1 being forced home after the jaws; are clo'sed'.

In Eigures, 1% to. L6 nclusive I show? a: still hirthen modification 01my, invention which the. tubular portions 611:6! are extendedlinto'finger-likeelementsjlformedlby. slottingthe.inner ends of the halftubular. portions vtso to proyideeinwardlyextending fingers whichare;ex-

panded outwardly; by. the introduction of a. conlus er 3 ha ng m t ao'atina 3. into he tubular portion. The insulating locking sleeve(125d;mtol dedjas/shownin o er rm e crib d- Eigures L7,? to '19,inclusive, I show, a, still ru gthee i'orm or, my, invention. The;tubular. non

of the sleeves and the ends are forced into contact with the conductorby means of the insulating sleeve 15 which forces the outwardly flaredends against'the' conductor received within the tuhularna aeeway- L i Itis of course understood that the terminal connector or fastener can bedesigned and manu- It is also obvious, that. can be used with a solidconductor-forfinely twisted conductors whether small or larg size, aswell as twisted pairs or branded cables; Itiis preferred that theterminal be made oi. metal, whicltis thin or tough relative to thecables which areto be fastened, such as phosphor spring cable which is agued conductor as well as a very tough metaL. The lug f orsecuring theterminal can, ofa course, be of various shapesjand can be formedat.eitheig'end if; desired, Theterminals may also be manufacturedas:a=singlelunit or. intgangterm and may: be, used" with orwithoutlthell ockingg sleeves r 7 While I have indicated the preferredembodimerits oh my invention otwhich I: amt now aware and: have alsoindicatedt onlyone; specific appli cation forrwhich my invention; maybeemployed,

it will be-apparentgthat. invention-'isn-by no,

means limited to the exact forms illustrated or the use, indicated butthatmany'variationsr-may e made: theparticular-structureuseeandi the rtsos or 'Wh Q-hrit is emnl r ithoutvoenar ing ir the. sc re of my mention; as set forth in the appended claims.

What Icla masconnector-ofsheet metal! for receivingfand securing-1 a'w-ire like element, including a; member h vi t oneeendatubularportiontotgreater length than-diameter and-tprovi-ding a passageway and:receptacle for said element, saidrgfionnector having a; pair or spacedonPQSitely -Edisposed flexible-arms one endaof whichnis secured i armswith. their ends. registering with, said passageway. for engaging the;end of a conductor received within. and extending V from said; tubularportion, the, free. ends, Qfifsai'd" arms having recess'es. proyided.with sharp edges. forengaging said.conductortherebetween, withabitingactiqn for resisting with'drawahoii'saidj conductor; and

a; sleeve; receiving; said tubular portion. and; said arms engaging;said arms for towing the free ends thereof into tight engagement with"said a conductor.

3; A connecting terminal: of said sheet metal for electrical; conductorsincluding" oppositely disposed" portions in' contact with each other,one'end of: said portions; being provided, with oppositely disposeddepressionsr foriningia tubular passageway therebetween for'rec'eiving acon ductor therein, said terminal being provided with flexibleoppositely disposed arms having their fixed ends adjacent saidpassageway, thef ree ends of which register with each other and with thepassageway through the tubular portionwoi said connector providing theclamping jaws for engaging the end of a conductor received with? in andextending from said tubular portions 4. A connecting terminal forelectrical conductorsincluding a sheet metal member having oppositelydisposed portions in contactwith each other, one end thereof beingprovided with oppositely disposed depressions forming a tubularpassageway therebetween for receiving a con ductor therein, saidportions being provided with flexible oppositely disposed arms, the freeends of which register with'each other and with the passageway throughthe tubular portion of'said connector for engaging the end of aconductor received within and extending from said'tubular portion, andmeans'including a sleeve received over said portions for engaging saidarms to force said arms into tight contact with said conductor. Y

5. A terminal connector of sheet metalhaving portions folded overagainst each other; said portions having at one end oppositely disposedoutwardly displaced areas forming a tubular passageway therebetween,,and other areas of said portions adjacent said tubular passagewayforming oppositely disposed flexible arms, the free ends of which areturned toward each other forming registering jaws which register withthe tubular passageway for engaging a conductor extending through andfrom said passageway, said free-ends being biased toward each other toprovide a biting action on said conductor for resisting removal of saidconductor from said terminal connector. i

' 6. A terminal connector of sheet metal having portions folded overagainst each other, said portions having at one end oppositely disposedoutwardly displaced areas forming a tubular passageway therebetween, andother areas of said portions adjacent said tubular passageway formingoppositely disposed flexible arms having their fixed ends adjacent thetubular passageway, the free ends extending away from said tubularpassageway and turned toward each other forming registering jawsregistering with the tubular passageway for engaging a conductorextending within and from saidpassageway, said free ends being biasedtoward each other to provide a biting action on said conductor forresisting removal of said conductor from said terminal connector. v

7. A terminal connector of sheet metal having portions folded againsteach other, said portions having at one end oppositely disposedoutwardly displaced areas forming a tubular passageway therebetween, andother areas of said portions adjacent said tubular passageway formingoppositely disposed flexible, arms, the free ends of which are turnedtoward each other and register with the tubular passageway for engaginga conductor extending through and from said passageway, and a lockingmember engaging said portions and provided with a tubular passagewaytherethrough having oppositely disposed slots extending therealong forreceiving said sheet metal terminal, the edges of said terminal beingreceived within said slots and said arms being engaged by the tubularpassageway of said locking member to force said 6 arms into tightcontact with said-conductor for locking said conductor within saidterminal.

8. A terminal connector of sheet metal having registering portions"folded againstl'each other, said po'rtionshaving at one end oppositelydisposed outwardly displaced areas "forming -'a tubular passagewaytherebetween,". and other areas of said "portions'adjacent said tubularpassageway forming oppositely disposed flexible arms, the free ends'ofwhich are turned toward each other and register with thetubularpassageway for engag'ing" a conductor extending through and fromsaid passageway, and an insulating locking member engaging said portionsand provided with a tubular passageway there-, through having oppositelydisposed slots extending therealong'ror receiving said sheet metalterminal, the longitudinal edges of said terminal being received withinsaid slots and said arms being engaged by the wall-of" said tubularpassagewayof said locking member to force the free ends of said armsinto tight contact with said conductor for locking said conductor withinsaid terminal.

. 9. A-terminal connector of sheet metal having registering portionsfolded against each other,

said portions having atone end. oppositely dis posed outwardly displacedareas forming a tubular passageway therebetween, and other areas of saidportions adjacent said tubular passageway forming oppositelydisposedflexible arms, the free ends of which are, turned toward eachother and register with the :tubular passageway for engaging a conductorextending through and from said passageway, and a locking memberengaging said portions and provided with a tubular passagewaytherethrough having oppositely disposed slots extending therealong-forreceiving said sheet metal terminal, the longitudinal edges of saidterminal being received withinv said slots and said arms beingengaged-by the tubular passageway to'force said arms into tightcontact'with said conductor for'lo'ckingsaid cone ductor within saidterminal, said'longitudinal edges being provided with, outwardly turnedbarbed portions for engaging 'the surfaces of said slots to resistremoval of said locking mem beer from said terminal.

10. A connector of sheet metal having portions folded against eachother, said portions having at one end oppositely disposed outwardlydisplaced areas forming a tubular passageway therebetween, and otherareas of said portions adjacent said tubular passageway formingoppositely disposed flexible arms, the free ends of which are turnedtoward each other and registering with the tubular passageway forengaging the conductor extending through and from said passageway, and alocking member engaging said portions and provided with a tubularpassageway therethrough having oppositely disposed slots extendingtherefrom for receiving said sheet metal terminal, the edges of saidterminal being received within said slots and said arms being engaged bythe tubular passageway to force said arms into tight contact withsaidconductor for locking said conductor within said terminal.

ll. A terminal connector of sheet metal having forming oppositelydisposed flexible arms, the

free ends of which are turned toward each otherandregi'steringwithithetubular passageway ion engagingsat conductor:extending: through and from saidw passageWay.,-; and: as looking: memberengaging-said; portions and PI'OVidBdZWithIfirtllbUrpassagewaystherethrough having. oppositely disnosed: slots: extending;t-Herefromdon receiving, saiii sheeta metala terminal conneotor,-. the:edges of: said: terminal-beingzreceived:within:v said .1 slots and'sai'darmszbeinga engagedibyz the: tubularrnas sagewawtzrfomesaidiarms'intotightoontaet :with said: conductor: for looking; said a conductor;within sarifdzterminal;v the:enda ofs'said-flexibla arms en-r gagingsaid... conductor being. providedwith; a straight. edge having; a:plurality: of: finer teeth therein:.-. r

12 N terminal: oonnectonroizsheet metalhaving registering. portionsifolded against.- each other; said! pontio'n's having: ati-ones endoppositelyi diSr posed outwardiy dis'placed areas-;forming:atubular?passagewayrtherebetween,. and othen' areasioi said portions.adjacent; said? tubular'nassageway forming oppositeiyr disposedflexible: arms,v the free en'dszof winehi are turned? toward: each otherand registering with the tubular passageway for engaging the conductor:extending. through and from sa'idipassagewayi and'za locking membeltentions' being provided with fingers extending. from the-inner edgethereof for-engaging:saideonduce ton, the 'free endsioisaidzfingerscbeing turnedztozwardieachptl i'en'an'ct: registerin'giwithvthe tubular passageway? fon'engaging as conductor. extending throughandfrom sa-id passageway, and'alock-ing anaemi member engaging. saidportions and. provided.

with a.,.-t1ibularpassagatherethrough. ior-ireoeiv ing. said sheet;metal, terminal.- oonnecton' said.

fingers being engagedby. the-tubular: passageway. to, force saidfingersintowtigha contact; with said' conductor forn-lockingisaid.conductor. withinsaid; terminal.

w 14.-. A .terminaleonneotonoitsheet metalhari'ng; registering,portions: folded. against. each othen.

said. portions having; at one end: oppositely disposednutwardlydisplacedlareasforming aitubur lar. passageway therebetweem. the.tubularpore.- tions -each,being; providediwith' an outwardly flaredsemircylindrical portion. having; an. in= wardly directed. annular.recess for engaging, a conduotor, the free ends-oft said. flaredportions b'eingiturnedtoward eachother and registenwith the tubular:passageway; fonengaging thevconduo: tor-extending throughand from. said.passage: Wayland-er. locking member engaging saidxporrtions and:providedwith a tubular passage, there.- through for receiving;saidsheet metal. terminal connector; saidfiaredpdrtionsbeing engagedfhythe; tubular passageway: to force the. annular. re? cessed portions intotight contact withsaidcon ductor for looking; said conductor within saidterminal; 7 i

r GEQRGE-PAULINEIZL.

. REEERENGES. CITED The'followin'g references are of record in thefileof this patent: V

'UNITED- STATES PATENTS.

England Nov. 15,. 1923

